In an effort to support race teams during a period of rising travel and operating expenses, the ASA STARS National Tour, ASA Southern Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, and CRA Pro Series have announced the immediate removal of all testing restrictions for their respective series.
The decision comes after careful consideration of the financial challenges teams continue to face, particularly with increased fuel prices and the growing costs associated with travel. By lifting the testing ban, teams competing at tracks throughout the season will have greater flexibility to maximize each trip and better prepare their race cars while reducing the need for additional travel.
Under this revised policy, any testing conducted prior to a sanctioned event will be considered non-sanctioned and organized solely at the discretion of the participating teams and the host facility. The ASA STARS National Tour, ASA Southern Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, and CRA Pro Series will not sanction these test sessions. Participation is entirely optional, and teams may choose whether or not testing best fits their preparation plans and budgets.
“Our teams are the backbone of these series, and we have a responsibility to adapt when economic conditions make it more difficult for them to compete,” said Marty Melo, Owner of the ASA STARS National Tour, ASA Midwest Tour, and CRA Pro Series. “With the rising costs of fuel and travel, eliminating our testing restrictions allows teams to get more value from each trip to the racetrack. At the same time, by making any pre-event testing non-sanctioned and completely optional, we’re giving teams the flexibility to decide what works best for their own program and budget. We believe this is the right decision to help control costs while continuing to support our competitors.”
The policy change is effective immediately and applies to all remaining events on the 2026 schedules for the ASA STARS National Tour, ASA Southern Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, and CRA Pro Series.